11 things you can do for free in Liverpool this weekend

It’s the second weekend of January, we’re all a bit skint and the prospect of a weekend in front of the telly, resisting the urge to ring for a take-away, seems pretty depressing!

Well luckily we’re surrounded by tonnes of awesome things to see and do for free! From fresh air fun, to saving the planet and high seas adventures, check out our list of 11 things you can do for free in Liverpool this weekend.

What will you get up to?

1 – New Year Fitness Freebie

Start the new year by smashing your 5k personal best with Park Run at Princess Park or Croxteth Park this weekend. Not a keen runner? Go along and join in two of the best organised weekly runs around, with friendly runners, joggers, dogs walkers and buggy pushers. Stanley Park hosts the Junior Park run so the kids can have a bash at it too! It’s free to take part, click here to register for your first 2017 event!

2 – Oh Christmas Tree!

Wrap up warm and recycle your Christmas tree this weekend at Formby beach where they’re being put to good use by the National Trust. Protecting the sand dunes at Formby beach is no mean feat! A wall of 15,000 Christmas trees has been used to help protect the dunes and encourage grass growth and wildlife to thrive. Do you bit and donate your tree! Find out more here.

3 – Meowsive Art

The Walker Art Gallery invites you to check out the biggest cat in Merseyside as Turner-Prize winning artist Mark Leckey presents, Zoo Logic. Representing the Birkenhead-born artists long-standing interest in moving image, the GIANT, inflatable Felix the Cat and moulded dome playing a short film are a brilliant addition to the free gallery in the heart of the city. Click here to find out more and plan your visit.

4 – Fantastic Beasts

If you’re into films, Liverpool is a great place to go location spotting. From Hollywood blockbusters like 2016 hit, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to TV series, Peaky Blinders and Houdini and Doyle, can you seek out the famous Liverpool landmarks that were used to recreate the New York cityscape and cobbled streets of London? Click here to find out more from the Liverpool Film Office.

5 – Ancient History

You don’t have to have kids to check out the ancient animal mummies at the World Museum. This new exhibition features mummified animals such as jackals, crocodiles, cats and birds and gives a rare insight into the ceremonial offerings of this deeply religious tradition. Lots of interactive bits and photo opportunities too! Click here to find out more.

6 – Catwalk Turn

Photo: Stephen McCoy – Skelmersdale 1984

Get over to the Open Eye Gallery at Mann Island this weekend as North: Identity, Photography, Fashion opens on Friday and features a whole host of photographs and fashion collections celebrating the best of Northern culture. Expect iconic fashion pieces, snapshots of life across Merseyside and an archive of iconic Adidas footwear. More info available here.

7 – Adventure on the High Seas

The Black Pearl driftwood ship, safely nestled on the beach at New Brighton is the perfect place to take the kids for some free fun this weekend. Strewn with ropes and flags with a skull and cross bones flying proudly from the mast, make the most of the dry weather and let the kids much about playing pirates in the shadow of the best skyline around. Find out more about the Black Pearl here.

9 – Pay Day Wish List

Vinyl has seen a real resurgence in recent years and Liverpool has a number of amazing shops to get your fix. Head on over to Dig Vinyl, Bold Street, 3B, Slater Street or Oxfam Bold Street and plan your pay day wish list while flicking through re=pressings and vintage vinyl from every genre imaginable.

10- Match Day Magic

The city will come alive again this weekend as Liverpool take on Plymouth in the third round of the FA cup, right here at Anfield. Take a wander around the city as fans flood the shops, bars and restaurants ahead of clash on Sunday and soak up the match day atmosphere as excitement builds ahead of the game. Sing-a-longs are optional. Find out more about LFC fixtures here.

11 – Scouse Legends

Following the news that our beloved Ken Dodd has received a knighthood, why not get your picture with all the scouse legends, dotted around the city. Up for a challenge? Camera phone at the ready, see if you can get a selfie with as many scouse legend statues, placed around the city as possible. From Dixie Dean and Shankly to Eleanor Rigby, Doddy and Billy Fury throwing some shapes as the sun sets on the Albert Dock. Click here for a list of Liverpool statues and their landmarks and have fun getting snappy!

We’d love you to add to our list! If you know of an event or activity that’s going on this weekend, that’s totally free, drop us a line and we’ll share the love! Tweet us @TheGuideLpool or email info@theguideliverpool.com with your ideas and suggestions.